Monitoring and reporting system

ABSTRACT

A monitoring and reporting system utilized to check on the condition of a water circulating and treating system by means of a private telephone line where the dialing of the number for a telephone line where the dialing of the number for a telephone set at the situs of the system and the ringing of the telephone sets a control circuit into operation. The circuit includes a timer motor rotating a series of cams for snap switches which, when closed, actuate a circuit to sense a condition of the system and provide a short interval audible signal that is picked up by the telephone receiver. One snap switch actuates a device which lifts the cradle for the telephone handset, and a series of buzzers are positioned adjacent the receiver which are connected to the condition indicators such as for conductivity, pH level, and chemical solution levels in the solution containers. The signals are controlled by the timer motor to be actuated at fixed time intervals.

nited States Patent 2,726,377 3,347,987 1 /1967 Chaloudka 3,401,234

Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MONITORING AND REPORTING SYSTEM 9Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

us. C1 Int. Cl H04m 11 04 Field bfSarh 179/5, 2

(TC,R); 340/416, 244, 293, 309.4

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1955 Hammer .l

9/1968 Heald 179/2 Primary Examiner- Kathleen H. Claffy AssistantExaminer-David L. Stewart Attorney-Wilson & Geppert ABSTRACT: Amonitoring and reporting system utilized to check on the condition of awater circulating and treating system by means of a private telephoneline where the dialing of the number for a telephone set at the situs ofthe system and the ringing of the telephone sets a control circuit intooperation. The circuit includes a timer motor rotating a series of camsfor snap switches which, when closed, actuate a circuit to sense acondition of the system and provide a short interval audible signal thatis picked up by the telephone receiver. One snap switch actuates adevice which lifts the cradle for the telephone handset, and a series ofbuzzers are positioned adjacent the receiver which are connected to thecondition indicators such as for conductivity, pH level, and chemicalsolution levels in the solution containers. The signals are controlledby the timer motor to be actuated at fixed time intervals.

SOLUTION TANKS 5' CEIVER- RE 2 rmsmmn QZBUZZER MONITORING AND REPORTINGSYSTEM The present invention relates to a monitoring and reportingsystem, and more particularly to a telephone monitoring system for thechecking of variable factors in a water circulating or treating systeminitiated by dialing of the telephone number corresponding to atelephone receiver at the site of the treating system.

Presently available means for reporting a malfunction in a controlsystem utilize the closing of a switch upon the occurrence of themalfunction or the exceeding of a predetermined limit or range whichwill actuate a telephone device to dial a preset number and actuate atape recorder or other signalling device which will indicate themalfunction to a person answering the telephone carrying the presetnumber. However, such a system is limited to the indication of a singlevariable as being outside of predetermined limits. The presentinvention, however, provides for the indication of the status of anumber of variables in a control system at any time.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of amonitoring and reporting system for a water circulating and treatingsystem whereby any number of variables in the system can be checked atany time. The monitoring is initiated by a serviceman or otherauthorized person through the dialing of a certain telephone numberassociated with the system being monitored. The telephone number isassociated with a telephone at the location of the monitoring system andconnected to a timer control system which does not interfere with thenormal mode of operation of the telephone. Thus, the telephone numbercan be dialed at any time to monitor the system.

Another object of the present invention is the provision ofa telephonemonitoring and reporting system for a water circulating and treatingsystem having a timer control actuated by the ringing of the telephone,and the timer in turn actuates a series of circuits providing signals atpredetermined time intervals to indicate the variable conditions in thetreating system. The timer includes a timer motor which rotates aplurality of actuating carns for a series of snap switches. Energizationof the timer is caused by the operation of the bell coil in thetelephone when the number is dialed. One circuit actuated by a snapswitch is a holding circuit to provide for a complete cycle of operationof the timer to monitor all conditions in the system. The other switchesactuate circuits for signalling the conditions present in the treatingsystem.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of atelephone monitoring and reporting system for a water circulating andtreating apparatus wherein the telephone receiver is removed from itscradle and one snap switch controls a circuit to actuate a relay to liftthe empty cradle. A series of buzzers are mounted adjacent the telephonereciever and are actuated at predetermined time intervals to indicateconditions of conductivity, pH level, and chemical solution level incontainers, or other desired variables.

The present invention also comprehends the provision of a telephonemonitoring and reporting system having a control timer wherein each snapswitch on the timer is actuated in a predetermined time sequence toactuate circuits for a conductivity indicating device, a pH levelindicating device and for determining the solution level in chemicalsolution containers. Each circuit is also connected to one or morebuzzers or signalling means which indicate the condition of the systemaudibly over the telephone.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such furtherobjects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear andare inherently possessed thereby.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing of water circulating and treating systemfor a cooling tower with the control system for treating therecirculating water and a monitoring system for indicating the variableconditions of the water circulating system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of the circuit utilized for the monitoringof the variable conditions in the system.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic showing of a modification of a flip-flopcircuit for the monitoring system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing of a modification of the alarm systemportion of the monitoring circuit.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings wherein isshown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1discloses a cooling tower system, similar to that shown in the Edward G.Kreusch and Edwin A. Morrison copending application Ser. No. 637,731,now US. Pat. No. 3,450,265, entitled Recirculating Water Treatment andControl System," assigned to the assignee of the present application,having an untreated water inlet conduit 10 leading to the control valve11 of a water softening tank 12. The water softening tank 12 has aninlet 13 and an outlet leading to the valve 11, and a brine conduit 15leads to a brine storage tank 16 for a brine solution supply toperiodically regenerate the water softening resin in the tank 12.

From the control valve 11, a conduit 17 leads to a pacing water meter18, and a conduit 19 communicates between the meter and a reservoir 24for a cooling tower 23. A float-controlled valve 21 is located in line19 to control flow of makeup water to the system. The cooling tower 23is a part of a recirculating water system 22 having a conduit 25 fromthe reser voir 24 leads to a recirculating pump 26, and water is pumpedthrough conduit 27 to a device 28, such as an air conditioner, requiringthe cooled water. The effluent water proceeds through conduit 29 to adistributor 30 at the top of the tower 23 where the water passesdownwardly to the reservoir 24, and air is drawn upwardly through thetower by a circulating fan in a manner known in the art.

For the purpose of preventing scale and corrosion, as well as theformation of biological growth and any other undesirable substances, itis desirable to add certain chemicals to the water in the system 22, andone or more chemical solution storage tanks 31 are utilized with achemical feeder 32 for each storage tank. The feeder 32 feeds a measuredamount of chemical solution through a branch conduit 33 to enter conduit29 at the point 34. Also, a bleed line 35 is connected to conduit 29 andto a bleedoff or blowndown control valve 36 for bleeding off measuredamounts of liquid to control the concentration of impurities in thecirculating water.

A substantially constant quantity of water is circulating in the system22 at all times of operation, with the makeup water from conduit 19replacing water lost due to evaporation and the water being bled offthrough the control valve 36. In order to accurately and systematicallyfeed the chemical solutions and control the quantity of brine regenerantfor regeneration of the water softener, the pacing meter 18 measures thequantity of makeup water fed to the reservoir as the valve 21 isactuated by the float level in the cooling tower reservoir 24. The flowof a predetermined amount of water through the meter 18 is translatedinto an electrical impulse which is transmitted through the circuit 38to an electric controller 39. This controller then actuates, throughcircuits 41, for predetermined time intervals, the chemical feeder 32and the refill solenoid valve in the water softener control valve 11, asmore specifically disclosed in the above cited Kreusch and Morrisonpending application.

Although the controller 39 provides substantially troublefree operationof the cooling tower recirculating system 22, there are certain variablefactors, such as conductivity or pH level of the circulating water whichshould be checked periodically during operation. Obviously, a techniciancould be present during operation of the system; however, it would beadvantageous to be able to check one or more of these systems'from acentral servicing point and dispatch a serviceman if any conditionrequires correcting. A monitoring system 42 is shown in FIG. 2 formonitoring and reporting variable conditions utilizing a telephone tomonitor the water circulating system 22. The telephone has a bell 43actuated by dialing the number of telephone, a cradle 44 and a receiver45, however, a holding relay 46 cooperates with the empty cradle 44 tolift the cradle as the receiver 45 is positioned off of the cradleadjacent a series of audible signals to be described later.

The control monitoring circuit is connected to a 110 volt source ofpower through leads 47, 48 and 49, lead 49 being connected to a ground51. The leads 47 and 48 are connected to a push-pull double pole switch52, the line 48 containing a fuse 53, and a signal light 54 ispositioned across the lines 47, 48 prior to the switch. Beyond theswitch a second signal light 55 is positioned between the lines 56 and57; line 56 extending to the holding relay 46 with a branch line 58leading to the pivoted arm 59 of a relay 61. The line 57 is connected tothe timer motor 64 and a signal light 62 is connected between the line56 and a line 63 leading from the other end of the coil of relay 46. Thetimer motor 64 provides a revolution over a predetermined time intervalto a shaft 65 carrying a series of cams (not shown) to actuate the snapswitches 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71.

The line 63 from relay 46 extends to the contact of snap switch 67,which switch actuates the relay 46 to lift the empty cradle 44. Lines 72and '73 extend from the bell 43 to a coil 74 of the relay 61 for apurpose to be later described. A line 75 extends between the normallyopen contact 76 of the relay 61 and the normally closed contact 77 ofthe snap switch 66. Also branch lines 78, 79 intersect lines 58 and 75,respectively, for a test switch 81. A line 82 extends between thenormally closed contact 83 of the relay 61 and the normally open contact84 of the snap switch 66. A line 85 extends from the switch 67 to oneend of coil 86 of the timer motor 64, and a line 87 from snap switch 66extends to the opposite end of coil 86.

The snap switch 68 is connected through lines 88, 89 to a conductivitymeter 91 and to a first buzzer 92 in parallel therewith. Theconductivity meter 91 has a l v. source 93 and a conductivity sensor 94inserted in the line 29. A pair of leads 95, 96 are connected to asolenoid 97 of the bleed valve 36 in the conduit 35 (HO. 1). The bleedvalve 36 is actuated by the conductivity meter 91 when the sensor 94indicates that the conductivity of the liquid in line 34 is above aprescribed minimum and water is bled through the line 35 and valve 36;makeup water entering the system 22 when the float 37 opens the valve 21in conduit 19.

Snap switch 69 is connected through lines 98, 99 to a pH meter 101having a 110 v. source 102 and pH sensor 103. A 6 volt battery 104 isconnected in line 99 to actuate the high and low tone buzzers 105,106.The lead 98 is a common line to both buzzers and lines 107, 108 connectthe buzzers to high and low contacts on the pH meter; the line 99 beingconnected to the common terminal. If the pH level is too high, the metercloses the circuit between lines 99 and 107 for actuation of the highbuzzer 105. Likewise, a low pH level closes the circuit of lines 99 and108 for actuation of low buzzer 106.

The last two snap switches 70 and 71 are to indicate the solution levelin the containers 31. If only one container 31 is used, the snap switch70 is alone used with line 109 going to the container 31 with the end orelectrode immersed in the solution therein. A line 112 has an end orelectrode immersed in the solution and is connected to a buzzer 113; a 6volt battery 114 being inserted in line 112 for the voltage required bythe buzzer. The line 111 extends from the buzzer 113 to the other sideof the snap switch 70. lfa second solution container 31 for anotheradditive is utilized, the snap switch 71 has a line 115 extending to andterminating in an end or electrode immersed in the solution in thecontainer 31. A branch line 116 having an end or electrode in thesolution extends from the container 31" to intersect the line 112, and aline 117 from the other side of the switch 71 intersects the line 111.As seen in FIG. 2, the buzzers 92, 105, 106 and 113 are grouped adjacentthe telephone receiver 45 so as to be audible to the serviceman callingthe telephone number to check on the system 22.

Considering the operation of this monitoring system 42, the cams for thesnap switches 68,69,70 and 71 are arranged so that the snap switches areactuated in sequence with predetermined time intervals between eachswitch. To initiate operation of the monitoring system, the servicemanat a central service point dials the telephone number for the monitoringtelephone. The telephone bell 43 rings thus closing the circuit andactuating the relay coil 74 of relay 61 to close the circuit throughlines 58 and 75 to the normally closed contact of snap switch 66. Thus acircuit is completed from the power source lines 47, 48 and closedswitch 52 through line 56, branch line 58, contacts 59 and 76, line 75,normally closed contact 77 of snap switch 66, line 87, coil 86 of motor64, and line 57.

For each short actuation of the bell 43, the timer motor 64 is actuatedto rotate the shaft 65 and associated cams until the cam of switch 66opens the contact 77 and closes the contact 84. As the relay arm 59 willnormally return to engage contact 83 when the bell 43 stops ringing, theclosing of contact 84 provides a holding circuit for the motor 64through lines 56 and 58, arm 59, contact 83, line 82, contact 84 ofswitch 66, line 87, coil 86 of motor 64 and line 57 so that the motorcan operate for one complete monitoring cycle.

Substantially simultaneously with the closing of contact 84, the snapswitch 67 closes the circuit through line 56, the coil of relay 46, line63, switch 67, line 85, coil 86 of the timer motor 64, and line 57 toactuate the relay 46 and lift the empty cradle 44 of the telephone toconnect the telephone receiver with the serviceman. After a short timeinterval, the switch 68 closes the circuit 88, 89 to the conductivitymeter 91, and if no sound from the buzzer 92 is heard, the conductivityof the water is below the predetermined maximum level. Ifa buzz isheard, the conductivity of the water in the system 22 is sufficientlyhigh that the bleedoff valve 36 is actuated.

After another short interval, the switch 69 closes the circuit 98, 99 tocheck the pH level of the circulating water. If the pH is too high, thehigh-pitched buzz from buzzer is heard, or if the pH is too low, the lowbuzz from buzzer 106 is heard. If there is no buzz, the pH level iswithin acceptable limits. After another time interval, the switch 70closes circuit 109, 111 and if the buzzer 113 emits a buzz, the solutioncontainer 31 is not empty. Similarly, after another time interval, theswitch 71 closes to indicate whether the container 31" is empty. Shortlyafter actuation of switch 71, the switch 66 opens contact 84 and closescontact 77, which deenergizes the relay 46 to drop the cradle and cutoff the telephone circuit.

The circuit light 54 indicates whether power is available to the switch52, signal light 55 indicates whether the switch is closed, and signallight 62 indicates whether a monitoring cycle is in operation to anyoneworking around the recirculating water system 22.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, these FIGS. disclose amodified monitoring circuit with FIG. 3 disclosing the flip-flop orholding portion 42 of the circuit, and FIG. 4 showing the signalling andreporting system 42" of the circuit. In FIG. 3, a l 10 volt source ofpower is connected to the flip-flop circuit 42 through leads 47, 48" and49"; lead 49 being connected to a ground 51". Leads 47", 48" areconnected to a single-throw double-pole on-off switch 52, and a signallight 54 is connected in parallel to the switch. A fuse 53" isinterposed in lead 48.

A line 121 intersects the line 47 and communicates to one side of a coilofa relay 122, the opposite side of the coil having a line 123 to anormally open contact 124. Said relay 122 operates to lift the cradle 44in the manner disclosed in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Asignal light 128 is connected in parallel with the relay 122 to indicatewhen a monitoring operation is occurring.

A line 129 from the switch 52" is connected to a momentary contactswitch 131, and the other line 132 from the switch 52" is connected toone end of the coil 86" of motor 64 and has a branch line 133 connectedto the switch arm 134 of cam-actuated switch 67. The opposite end ofcoil 86" is connected by line 135 to a switch arm 136 of cam-actuatedswitch 66. The switch arm 136 engages normally closed contact 137connected to the momentary contact switch 131 by line 138. One

line 139 of switch 131 is connected to a common terminal on the relayarm 141 while the other line 145 is connected to the normally opencontact 142 of relay 144. Normally open contact 146 of switch 66 isconnected through line 147 to the normally closed contact 143. The coilof relay 144 is connected to the phone bell 43 through lines 72 and 73".

In this simplified flip-flop or holding circuit 42, the monitoringsystem is initiated by the dialing of the telephone number to ring thebell 43; which in turn actuates the relay 144 to cause the arm 141 tomomentarily engage the open contact 142 and complete the circuit throughclosed switch 52", line 129, switch 131, line 139, relay arm 141,contact 142, line 145, switch 131, line 138, contact 137, arm 136 ofcam-actuated switch 66", line 135, coil 86 of motor 64 and line 132. Asin the previous embodiment, one or more rings of the phone coil 43 arerequired to intermittently actuate the motor 64 and rotate the shaftthereof for a sufficient arc of rotation to cause the cam to actuateswitch 66 and move switch arm 136 to engage normally open contact 146and provide a holding circuit through line 129, switch 131, line 139,relay arm 141, normally closed contact 143, line 147, contact 146,switch arm 136, line 135, coil 86 of motor 64 and the line 132 to rotatethe motor through a complete cycle until the switch arm 136 ofcam-actuated switch 66 is returned to engage contact 137.

Substantially simultaneously with actuation of the cam-actuated switch66", the cam-actuated switch 67" has the switch arm 134 moved to engagecontact 124 and actuate the relay 122 to lift the empty cradle 44through a circuit from lines 132 and 133, switch arm 134, contact 124,line 123, relay 122 and line 121. Actuation of the relay 122 actuatesthe signal light 128. When the motor 64' has made a complete revolution,the cam of cam-actuated switch 67 returns switch arm 134 to inoperativeposition. The momentary contact switch functions in substantially thesame manner as the switch 81 in F113. 2, in that the switch normallyallows current to pass from line 129 to line 139 and from line 138 toline 145, but the switch 131 can be closed across lines 129 and 138 totest the motor circuit.

FIG. 4 discloses the monitoring and reporting circuit 42" which hascam-actuated switches 68", 69, 70" and 71" operated by suitable camsrotated by the shaft of motor 64" of FIG. 3. The cams are adjusted tooperate the switches in a suitable sequence to indicate the functioningof the pH controller 101" and the conductivity controller 91, and thelevel of solution in containers 148, 149. The power source for thealarms or signals of the various controllers consists of a 6.0 voltbattery 151 in line 153 and a 1.5 volt battery 152 in line 154. A 1.5volt signalling device 155 is connected on one side to the line 154 andon the other side to a common line 156 to be later described. Likewise a6.0 volt alarm 157 is connected on one side to the line 153 and on theopposite side to a common line 158. A line 159 is connected to the lines153 and 154 and also to the switch arms 161, 162, 163 and 164 of the camactuated switches 68, 69, 70 and 71", respectively.

Looking first at the pH controller 101, this controller has threecontacts 169, 170 and 171 for high, in range, and low pH readings,respectively. All of the switches 68", 69, 70 and 71 are in normallyopen positions and have contacts 165, 166, 167 and 168, respectively. Aline 172 is connected to high contact 169 and to the coil of a highlevel relay 173. The in range" contact 170 is connected by line 174 toboth the coil of high level relay 173 and the coil of low level relay175; the low contact 171 being connected to the coil of relay 175 byline 176. Branch lines 177, 177 are connected to lines 172 and 174,respectively, and actuate one or more solution feeders 32 of FIG. 1 forfeeding acid into the circulating water system. Branch lines 178, 178are connected to lines 174 and 176, respectively, for a coil of alatching relay 179, and branch lines 181,181 lead from lines 178,178 toactuate the solenoid of the bleed valve 36 (see FIG. 1).

A line 182 connects contact 165 of cam-actuated switch 68 to the switcharm 183 of latching relay 179 with the relay arm normally engaging thecontact of line 184; the relay also having a normally open contact 185communicating with contact A connected to the common line 158 of the 6.0volt alarm 157. A line 186 connects the line 184 with the common line156 of the 1.5 volt signal and also is connected to the normally closedcontact 187 of low level relay and through switch arm 188 and line 189to the normally closed contact 191 of high level relay 173. Relay 175has a normally open contact 192 and relay 173 has a normally opencontact 193, both contacts connected with contact A. The switch arm 194of relay 173 is connected to contact 166 of cam-actuated switch 69 byline 195.

The conductivity controller 91 also has contacts 196, 197 and 198 forhigh, in range and low conductivity, respectively. This controller alsohas a high level relay 199 and a low level relay 200; the coil of thehigh level relay 199 being connected to the high contact 196 by line201, the coil of low level relay 200 being connected to the low contact198 by line 202, and the coils of both relays being connected to the inrange contact 197 by line 203. Branch lines 204,204 are connected tolines 201,203 for actuation of the solenoid of bleed valve 36. Highlevel relay 199 has a switch arm 206 connected by line 205 to thecontact 167 of switch 70", a normally closed contact 207 connected byline 209 to switch arm 211 of low level relay 200, and a normally opencontact 208 connected to contact B on the common line 158. Low levelrelay 200 has a normally closed contact 212 connected to line 214leading to common line 156 and a normally open contact 213 connected tocontact B.

With respect to the solution tanks 148,149 for supplying solution to thefeeder 32, each tank has a switch with a switch arm being actuated by afloat 215 between a low level position and a high level position. A line216 leads from the contact 168 of cam-actuated switch 71 to the switcharm 217 of tank 148 and a branch line 223 connects line 216 with switcharm 224 of tank 149. Each tank has a high solution level contact 218,225(both shown closed in FIG. 4) with contact 218 connected with line 219leading to common line 156, and branch line 220 connecting contact 225with line 219. Each tank also has a low level contact 221,226 with line222 from contact 221 and branch line 227 from contact 226 connected tothe contact C.

Now considering operation of this monitoring system, at the time of themonitoring test, the pH will either be high, low or in the proper range.If the pH is high, the pH controller 101 a will energize the high levelrelay 173 through lines 172,174 and will energize the acid solutionfeeder 32 through lines 177,177. Energization of the high level relay173 will close the normally open contact 193 and will sound the 6.0 voltalarm 157 when cam-actuated switch 69 closes through the circuit fromthe 6.0 volt battery 151, lines 153 and 159, switch arm 162, contact166, line 195, relay switch arm 194, contact 193, contact A, common line158 and alarm 157.

If the pH is in range, the contacts 191 and 187 of relays 173 and 175are closed, and the contact 184 of latching relay 179 is closed so thatclosing of either switch 68 or 69" will actuate the 1.5 volt signallingdevice 155. When switch 68 closes, a circuit is initiated through thebattery 152, lines 154 and 159, arm 161, contact 165, line 182, arm 183,lines 184 and 186, common line 156 and signalling device 155. Whenswitch 69 closes, the circuit is actuated through battery 152, lines 154and 159, arm 162, contact 166, line 195, relay arm 194, contact 191,line 189, relay arm 188, contact 187, line 186, common line 156 andsignalling device 155.

If the pH is low," the controller 101 will actuate the low level relay175 through lines 174,176 and latching relay 179 through lines 174,176and 178. Also, the bleed valve 36 is opened by actuation of the solenoidthrough lines 181,181. Due to the nature of the latching relay, theswitch arm 183 will engage contact if the pH has at any previous timebeen low until the latching relay is deliberately unlatched. Therefore,if the pH is or ever has been low, closing of the cam-actuated switch 68will sound the 6.0 volt alarm 157 through the circuit from 6.0 voltbattery 151, lines 153 and 159, arm 1611, contact 165, line 162, arm 183of latched relay 179, contact 1185, contact A, common line 158 and alarm157. Also, upon closing switch 69, a circuit is initiated from battery151 through lines 153 and 159, arm 162, contact 166, line 195, arm 194,contact 191, line 189, arm 188, contact 192, contact A, common line 158and alarm 157.

To summarize the operation of the pH controller, the sounds for the PHconditions which exist at the time of the test are shown in thefollowing table:

TABLE 1 pH high low in range Sound 6 v. alarm switch 69 6 v. alarmswitch 69 1.5 v. signal switch 69 previously low 6 v. alarm switch 68"never low 1.5 v. signal switch 68" As the switches 68" and 69 areactuated in sequence by their cams actuated by the motor 64, thecombination of signals upon actuation of these two switches gives afairly complete picture of the present and past pH condition of thesystem. Obviously, different combinations of the alarm and signal systemcould be devised.

Considering the conductivity controller 91, the conductivity at the timeof the test will either be high, low or in range. If the conductivity isin range, the high and low level relays 199,200 will be positioned asshown in FIG. 4 and a circuit will be completed to the 1.5 voltsignalling device through the battery 152, lines 154 and 159, switch arm163, contact 167, line 205, relay arm 206, contact 207, line 209, relayarm 211, contact 212, line 214, common line l56and signalling device 155when the switch 70 is closed. If the conductivity is either too high ortoo low, the 6.0 volt alarm 157 is actuated. For a high conductivity,the controller actuates the high level relay 199 through lines 201, 203and simultaneously the solenoid for the bleed valve 36 is actuatedthrough lines 204,204. Actuation of the relay 199 completes a circuit toactuate the 6.0 volt alarm 157 through battery 151, lines 153 and 159,switch arm 163, contact 167, line 205, switch arm 206, contact 208,contact B, common line 158 and alarm 157.

Similarly, if the conductivity is low, the controller 91" will actuatethe low level relay 200 through lines 202,203. Then upon closing ofswitch 70", a circuit is completed through battery 151, lines 153 and159, switch arm 163, contact 167, line 205, relay arm 206, contact 207,line 209, arm 211 of relay 200, contact 213, contact B, common line 150and alarm 157.

The cam-actuated switch 71" indicates the level of the chemical solutionin the solution containers 148 and 149 supplying the chemical feeders32. A high solution level sounds the 1.5 volt signalling device 155 asshown in FIG. 4 with a circuit completed through battery 152, lines 154and 159, switch arm 164, contact 168, line 216, switch arm 217 of tank148, contact 218, line 219 and signalling device 155; with solution tank149 being in the circuit through line 216, branch line 223, arm 224,contact 225, branch line 220 and line 219. If the solution level is low,the 6.0 volt alarm is sounded through the circuit of battery 151, lines153 and 159, arm 164, contact 168, line 216, switch 217, contact 221,line 222, contact C and alarm 157 for tank 148; and if tank 149 is low,the circuit is substantially the same with the tank 149 inserted in thecircuit from line 216 by branch line 223, arm 224, contact 226 andbranch line 227 to the line 222. As both solution tanks 148,149 aretogether on the single cam-actuated switch 71", both tanks may sound the1.5 volt signalling device 155 together, or the 6.0 volt alarm 157together, or both the 6.0 volt alarm and 1.5 volt signalling device cansound together, depending on the solution levels in the tanks.

Obviously, the 6.0 volt alarm and the 1.5 volt signalling device willhave different sounds which can be easily differentiated by theserviceman when calling, and the telephone transmitter is located inclose proximity to the signal and alarm. Once the monitoring cycle hasbeen completed, the cam-actuated switches 66, 69", 70 and 71" are allopen until the next cycle, Also, the switch 67 is opened to deenergizethe relay 122 to depress the telephone cradle 44" to cut off thetelephone reciever. Both the pH controller 101" and the conductivitycontroller 91 each has a separate poser source for actuation of theirrespective relays.

While the monitoring system and circuit have been shown and described asbeing advantageously applicable to a cooling tower recirculating system,it is not our desire or intent to unnecessarily limit the scope or theutility of the features of these illustrative embodiments.

We claim:

1. A monitoring system for monitoring and reporting the condition of amultivariable control system whereby each variable is checked by aserviceman remotely located from the control system, comprising atelephone located at the control system and having a bell actuated by abell coil, a cradle and a reciever-transmitter, a timer actuated byactuation of the bell coil, a plurality of audible sound devicesactuated by the timer in a predetermined sequence at predetermined timeintervals over a cycle of the timer, sensing devices for the variableconditions in the system, each sensing device connected in a separatecircuit with at least one of the audible sound devices and with thetimer, said telephone reciever-transmitter being positioned adjacent theaudible sound devices to transmit the signals therefrom to theserviceman, said system monitoring a circulating water system, whereinone of said sensing devices is a conductivity meter for the water, saidaudible sound devices including a buzzer connected in series with saidmeter, and said timer includes a cam-actuated snap switch connected inseries with said buzzer and said meter to complete the circuit therefor,said buzzer being actuated by said meter when the conductivity of thewater exceedsa maximum value, said snap switch being actuated by saidtimer for a short time interval after the timer has been actuated, and ableed valve to bleed off Water from the circulating system, said bleedvalve being actuated by a solenoid connected in series with said buzzerand actuated by said conductivity meter when the conductivity of thewater exceeds a maximum level.

2. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein another of saidsensing devices is a pH meter having high and low contacts and a sensorto indicate the pH level of the water as high, low or in range, saidaudible sound devices including a high pitched buzzer and a low pitchedbuzzer connected in parallel in a second circuit with the high pitchedbuzzer connected to the high contact and the low pitched buzzerconnected to the low contact of the pH meter, a battery connected inseries with the pH meter and with said buzzers, and said timer includesa second cam-actuated switch connected in series with said buzzers andsaid pH meter and actuated by said timer in sequence with said firstmentioned switch, said high pitched buzzer being actuated if the pH ofthe water exceeds a maximum value and the low pitched buzzer beingactuated if the pH is below a minimum value.

3. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, in which at least onechemical solution tank feeds a chemical solution additive to saidcirculating water system, said sensing devices including a pair ofelectrodes depending into said tank and said solution to adjacent thebottom thereof, said timer including a cam-actuated switch actuated bythe timer in sequence with said first mentioned switch, a circuitconnecting said last mentioned switch and said electrodes in series,said audible sound devices including a buzzer in series in said lastmentioned circuit, and a battery in series in said last mentionedcircuit to energize the buzzer when said chemical solution additivecompletes the circuit between the electrodes.

4. A monitoring system for monitoring and reporting the condition of amultivariable control system whereby each variable is checked by aserviceman remotely located from the control system, comprising atelephone located at the control system and having a bell actuated by abell. coil, a cradle and a receiver-transmitter, a timer actuated byactuation of the bell coil, a pair of audible sound devices comprising asignalling device and an alarm connected in parallel, each powered by aseparate battery and actuated at predetermined time intervals over acycle of the timer, said signalling device indicating an acceptablecondition and said alarm indicating a condition requiring correction,sensing devices for the variable conditions in the system, including apH meter, a conductivity meter and a float-actuated switch in at leastone chemical solution tank, each sensing device connected in parallel ina first circuit to said signalling device and connected in parallel in asecond circuit to said alarm, said telephone receiver-transmitter beingpositioned adjacent said signalling device and said alarm to transmitthe sounds therefrom to the serviceman.

5. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which said pH meterhas high, low and in range contacts, a first relay connected to saidhigh and in range contacts, a second relay and a latching relay inparallel and connected to said in range and low contacts, said timerincluding a first cam-actuated switch connected in series with a switcharm of said latching relay and with said signalling device and saidalarm, said relay having separate contacts connected in the circuits tosaid signalling device and to said alarm to be engaged by said switcharm whereby closing of said first cam-actuated switch by said timeractuates said signalling device if the pH has been in proper range andactuates said alarm if the pH range has ever been low.

6. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 5, in which said firstrelay and said second relay each has a switch arm and a pair of spacedcontacts, said timer including a second cam-actuated switch wired inseries with said first relay switch arm and with said signalling deviceand said alarm, one of said first relay contacts connected to said alarmand the other contact connected in series with said second relay switcharm, and one of said second relay contacts connected to said alarm andand the other contact connected to said signalling device, wherebyclosing of said second cam-actuated switch by said timer actuates saidsignalling device if the pH is presently in range and actuates saidalarm if the pH is either high or low.

7. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which saidconductivity meter has high, low and in range contacts, a first relayconnected to said high an in range contacts and a second relay connectedto said in range and low contacts, each relay having a switch arm and apair of spaced contacts, said timer includes a cam-actuated switchconnected in series with said first relay switch arm and with saidsignalling device and said alarm, one of said first relay contactsconnected to said alarm and the other contact connected in series withsaid second relay switch arm, one of said second relay contactsconnected to said alarm and the other contact connected to saidsignalling device, whereby closing of said cam-actuated switch by saidtimer actuates said signalling device if the conductivity is in rangeand actuates said alarm if the conductivity is either high or low.

8. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which saidfloat-actuated switch has a switch arm, a high level contact connectedto said signalling device and a low level contact connected to saidalarm, said timer including a cam-actuated switch connected to saidswitch arm and to said signalling device and said alarm, whereby closingof said cam-actuated switch by said timer actuates said signallingdevice if the floatactuated switch arm engages the high level contactand actuates said alarm if the float-actuated switch arm engages the lowlevel contact.

9. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which said timerincludes at least one cam-actuated switch connected in series with saidsignalling device and said alarm and connected to each of said pH meter,said conductivity meter and said float-actuated switches, saidcam-actuated switches being actuated by said timer in sequence at spacedintervals during a cycle of the timer.

1. A monitoring system for monitoring and reporting the condition of amultivariable control system whereby each variable is checked by aserviceman remotely located from the control system, comprising atelephone located at the control system and having a bell actuated by abell coil, a cradle and a recievertransmitter, a timer actuated byactuation of the bell coil, a plurality of audible sound devicesactuated by the timer in a predetermined sequence at predetermined timeintervals over a cycle of the timer, sensing devices for the variableconditions in the system, each sensing device connected in a separatecircuit with at least one of the audible sound devices and with thetimer, said telephone reciever-transmitter being positioned adjacent theaudible sound devices to transmit the signals therefrom to theserviceman, said system monitoring a circulating water system, whereinone of said sensing devices is a conductivity meter for the water, saidaudible sound devices including a buzzer connected in series with saidmeter, and said timer includes a cam-actuated snap switch connected inseries with said buzzer and said meter to complete the circuit therefor,said buzzer being actuated by said meter when the conductivity of thewater exceeds a maximum value, said snap switch being actuated by saidtimer for a short time interval after the timer has been actuated, and ableed valve to bleed off water from the circulating system, said bleedvalve being actuated by a solenoid connected in series with said buzzerand actuated by said conductivity meter when the conductivity of thewater exceeds a maximum level.
 2. A monitoring system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein another of said sensing devices is a pH meter havinghigh and low contacts and a sensor to indicate the pH level of the wateras high, low or in range, said audible sound devices including a highpitched buzzer and a low pitched buzzer connected in parallel in asecond circuit with the high pitched buzzer connected to the highcontact and the low pitched buzzer connected to the low contact of thepH meter, a battery connected in series with the pH meter and with saidbuzzers, and said timer includes a second cam-actuated switch connectedin series with said buzzers and said pH meter and actuated by said timerin sequence with said first mentioned switch, said high pitched buzzerbeing actuated if the pH of the water exceeds a maximum value and thelow pitched buzzer being actuated if the pH is below a minimum value. 3.A monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, in which at least onechemical solution tank feeds a chemical solution additive to saidcirculating water system, said sensing devices including a pair ofelectrodes depending into said tank and said solution to adjacent thebottom thereof, said timer including a cam-actuated switch actuated bythe timer in sequence with said first mentioned switch, a circuitconnecting said last mentioned switch and said electrodes in series,said audible sound devices including a buzzer in series in said lastmentioned circuit, and a battery in series in said last mentionedcircuit to energize the buzzer when said chemical solution additivecompletes the circuit between the electrodes.
 4. A monitoring system formonitoring and reporting the condition of a multivariable control systemwhereby each variable is checked by a serviceman remotely located froMthe control system, comprising a telephone located at the control systemand having a bell actuated by a bell coil, a cradle and areceiver-transmitter, a timer actuated by actuation of the bell coil, apair of audible sound devices comprising a signalling device and analarm connected in parallel, each powered by a separate battery andactuated at predetermined time intervals over a cycle of the timer, saidsignalling device indicating an acceptable condition and said alarmindicating a condition requiring correction, sensing devices for thevariable conditions in the system, including a pH meter, a conductivitymeter and a float-actuated switch in at least one chemical solutiontank, each sensing device connected in parallel in a first circuit tosaid signalling device and connected in parallel in a second circuit tosaid alarm, said telephone receiver-transmitter being positionedadjacent said signalling device and said alarm to transmit the soundstherefrom to the serviceman.
 5. A monitoring system as set forth inclaim 4, in which said pH meter has high, low and in range contacts, afirst relay connected to said high and in range contacts, a second relayand a latching relay in parallel and connected to said in range and lowcontacts, said timer including a first cam-actuated switch connected inseries with a switch arm of said latching relay and with said signallingdevice and said alarm, said relay having separate contacts connected inthe circuits to said signalling device and to said alarm to be engagedby said switch arm whereby closing of said first cam-actuated switch bysaid timer actuates said signalling device if the pH has been in properrange and actuates said alarm if the pH range has ever been low.
 6. Amonitoring system as set forth in claim 5, in which said first relay andsaid second relay each has a switch arm and a pair of spaced contacts,said timer including a second cam-actuated switch wired in series withsaid first relay switch arm and with said signalling device and saidalarm, one of said first relay contacts connected to said alarm and theother contact connected in series with said second relay switch arm, andone of said second relay contacts connected to said alarm and and theother contact connected to said signalling device, whereby closing ofsaid second cam-actuated switch by said timer actuates said signallingdevice if the pH is presently in range and actuates said alarm if the pHis either high or low.
 7. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4,in which said conductivity meter has high, low and in range contacts, afirst relay connected to said high an in range contacts and a secondrelay connected to said in range and low contacts, each relay having aswitch arm and a pair of spaced contacts, said timer includes acam-actuated switch connected in series with said first relay switch armand with said signalling device and said alarm, one of said first relaycontacts connected to said alarm and the other contact connected inseries with said second relay switch arm, one of said second relaycontacts connected to said alarm and the other contact connected to saidsignalling device, whereby closing of said cam-actuated switch by saidtimer actuates said signalling device if the conductivity is in rangeand actuates said alarm if the conductivity is either high or low.
 8. Amonitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which said float-actuatedswitch has a switch arm, a high level contact connected to saidsignalling device and a low level contact connected to said alarm, saidtimer including a cam-actuated switch connected to said switch arm andto said signalling device and said alarm, whereby closing of saidcam-actuated switch by said timer actuates said signalling device if thefloat-actuated switch arm engages the high level contact and actuatessaid alarm if the float-actuated switch arm engages the low levelcontact.
 9. A monitoring system as set forth in claim 4, in which saidtimer includes at least one cam-actuated switch connected in series withsaid signalling device and said alarm and connected to each of said pHmeter, said conductivity meter and said float-actuated switches, saidcam-actuated switches being actuated by said timer in sequence at spacedintervals during a cycle of the timer.